Simulation tool of IEEE 802.11ac wireless networks propagation in indoor environments

Abstract

This research pretends to be useful for the future deployment of the wireless network of the Universidad Miguel Hernández, specifically at the campus of Elche. In terms of capacity, in short term we will need more capacity in the wireless network, for this reason we are testing some aspects of the protocol IEEE 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5). This protocol works in the 5 GHz band and provides us more channels and capacity with channel bonding and MIMO. Before the deployment of the wireless network, we need to know the propagation model of the signal in different scenarios and conditions. We analyse the results obtained by a developed software tool capable of representing different measurements of the signal strength with LOS and NLOS scenarios and comparing with indoor propagation models. For measuring the signal level we have used an emitter 3x4 MIMO and a receiver 3x3 MIMO, both compatible with Wi-Fi ac.